The episodes of the first few seasons of Supernatural have focused on many different urban legends, from the infamous Hook Man and Bloody Mary to more subtle foes, like shapeshifters, Wendigos, and Croatoan viruses. In "The Benders", Sam and Dean learn that sometimes, the things that go bump in the night are not what we should truly be afraid of.
The episode pays homage to "redneck" horror movies, notably The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. "The Benders" begins with the boys interviewing a little boy, who claims to have heard a weird screeching sound, followed by the disappearance of a forty-something man. After the interview the Winchesters head to the local watering hole, discussing the case. Their father's co-ordinates seem to lead them to the locale, but other than the little boy's testimony, nothing supernatural seems to be going on. The brothers decide to go back to their hotel for the night and tackle the case in the morning, but Dean needs to take a quick pit-stop first. Thus Sam heads out to the parking lot alone, and ultimately vanishes. Dean returns to find Sam's papers on the trunk of the Impala, and his brother nowhere to be found.
Desperate, Dean turns to the local sheriff (under an assumed name, of course), claiming that his cousin, one Sam Winchester, has gone missing. The sheriff agrees, and quickly the pair find a lead, but it isn't long before Dean's cover is blown, and he is arrested for impersonating a police officer. Luckily for Dean, the sheriff understands what Dean is going through - her brother had disappeared a few years earlier, in a similar manner - and allows Dean to tag along, at least until Sam is found (dead or alive). Dean agrees, willing to go to jail in order to find his little brother. Meanwhile, Sam wakes up in a cage, in the basement of what seems to be a house in the country. It isn't long before Sam (and the audience) realize that Sam's captors are not supernatural beings, but crazy, murderous rednecks, who take hunting to a new level. And their favorite prey are humans.
"The Benders" is a great, creepy episode, perhaps more scary than the usual Supernatural episode because of the human connection. Ghosts and other similar beings are sort of expected to act how they do - it's natural, and in many cases, a means of survival. But the Benders are a horrific, murdering family - of humans, who should have morals, self control, a conscience. The family is well cast, especially the Bender daughter, Missy. This little girl, dressed in dirty clothes and sporting a wild, unkempt hairdo, seems to be innocent enough (both the sheriff and Dean are fooled by her so-called innocence)but proves to be one of the most violent of them all. Jensen Ackles once again provides a heartfelt performance. Throughout the episode, the viewer can see the fear in his eyes, the choking of his voice, as he struggles to keep calm, trying to remain hopeful that his brother is alive. As he is held captive by the Benders, and hears the fateful gunshot in the basement, Ackles cringes. His performance is so genuine, so powerful. Jessica Steen, how plays Dean's cop sidekick, is also great in this episode. The anger and hurt in her eyes when she finally learns the truth about her brother is so intense, so real. I would enjoy to see her character re-surface in future episode.
"The Benders" is a great, thrilling hour of television. Great acting, great storytelling, and a creepy plot which reminds viewers that sometimes, it's those closest to us which are more horrifying than anything paranormal.
The episode pays homage to "redneck" horror movies, notably The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. "The Benders" begins with the boys interviewing a little boy, who claims to have heard a weird screeching sound, followed by the disappearance of a forty-something man. After the interview the Winchesters head to the local watering hole, discussing the case. Their father's co-ordinates seem to lead them to the locale, but other than the little boy's testimony, nothing supernatural seems to be going on. The brothers decide to go back to their hotel for the night and tackle the case in the morning, but Dean needs to take a quick pit-stop first. Thus Sam heads out to the parking lot alone, and ultimately vanishes. Dean returns to find Sam's papers on the trunk of the Impala, and his brother nowhere to be found.
Desperate, Dean turns to the local sheriff (under an assumed name, of course), claiming that his cousin, one Sam Winchester, has gone missing. The sheriff agrees, and quickly the pair find a lead, but it isn't long before Dean's cover is blown, and he is arrested for impersonating a police officer. Luckily for Dean, the sheriff understands what Dean is going through - her brother had disappeared a few years earlier, in a similar manner - and allows Dean to tag along, at least until Sam is found (dead or alive). Dean agrees, willing to go to jail in order to find his little brother. Meanwhile, Sam wakes up in a cage, in the basement of what seems to be a house in the country. It isn't long before Sam (and the audience) realize that Sam's captors are not supernatural beings, but crazy, murderous rednecks, who take hunting to a new level. And their favorite prey are humans.
"The Benders" is a great, creepy episode, perhaps more scary than the usual Supernatural episode because of the human connection. Ghosts and other similar beings are sort of expected to act how they do - it's natural, and in many cases, a means of survival. But the Benders are a horrific, murdering family - of humans, who should have morals, self control, a conscience. The family is well cast, especially the Bender daughter, Missy. This little girl, dressed in dirty clothes and sporting a wild, unkempt hairdo, seems to be innocent enough (both the sheriff and Dean are fooled by her so-called innocence)but proves to be one of the most violent of them all. Jensen Ackles once again provides a heartfelt performance. Throughout the episode, the viewer can see the fear in his eyes, the choking of his voice, as he struggles to keep calm, trying to remain hopeful that his brother is alive. As he is held captive by the Benders, and hears the fateful gunshot in the basement, Ackles cringes. His performance is so genuine, so powerful. Jessica Steen, how plays Dean's cop sidekick, is also great in this episode. The anger and hurt in her eyes when she finally learns the truth about her brother is so intense, so real. I would enjoy to see her character re-surface in future episode.
"The Benders" is a great, thrilling hour of television. Great acting, great storytelling, and a creepy plot which reminds viewers that sometimes, it's those closest to us which are more horrifying than anything paranormal.